OWENSBORO, Ky. (7/17/13) -- The Mayor and commissioners introduced an ordinance Tuesday night that creates an “Entertainment District” in downtown Owensboro. The ordinance makes sure that if there were a wet-dry election in that precinct, the downtown area would be exempt from such a vote. The ordinance was passed in a unanimous vote.

Several in the audience took the opportunity to address the council during the evening, including some who expressed opposition to the ordinance. One man called the ordinance “an evil law that could result in injuries and suffering to citizens.”

The Mayor and commissioners approved an ordinance for the purchase of parcels of land worth $115,000 to be sold into the litigation of the city. Officials said these properties are encumbered with delinquent tax liens and/or are nuisances to the community. The ordinance includes appropriating funds for the demolition and for the cleaning up of the land that will be purchased by the city. The ordinance was passed in a unanimous vote.

The Owensboro Police Department introduced three municipal orders. One order was to receive a new K-9 that would be trained in explosives detection and patrol operations. There was a former K-9 at OPD, but its handler retired in 2008. Another order proposed to file an application for grant funds in the amount of $4,158.00. This amount will be used to purchase seven bulletproof protective body armor vests that each officer uses when on duty. The last order proposed from the OPD was to file an application for grant funds in the amount of $17,138.00. The proceeds will be used to purchase tasers for the safety of the officers. OPD has only 77 working tasers currently for their 108 police officers.

“Our officers are out there protecting, we want to protect them the best we can,” said Chief Arthur Ealum, Jr.

Other discussion at the meeting included topics such as:

“Give A Hand And Pay It Forward” campaign will be held Aug. 5 to Aug. 19. Cards will be located at Owensboro City Hall;

New Life Church’s Farmers Market will be extended until August;

Mayor Payne proposed to have all people fly an American flag to show support for the All-American city award and to ‘make the community look good.”